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Amtrak Goes 'All Aboard' GSA's Vehicle Fleet Program

Recognizing the U.S. General Services Administration's expertise in vehicle fleet management, Amtrak recently signed an agreement with the agency to turn over the management of its fleet of 1,100 vehicles to GSA by the end of this fiscal year.

The bulk of the vehicles -- 947 -- are located in three GSA regions stretching from the Mid-Atlantic to New England states. However, the agreement includes Amtrak's nationwide operations and all 11 GSA regions, and it will also lead to the future use of alternative fueled vehicles. All 1,100 AMTRAK vehicles are expected to be turned over to GSA by October 1, 1996.

"Because our fleet management services are non-mandatory and our operations are based on reimbursable funding, it is important that we continually look for ways to stay competitive and earn this business," said David J. Barram, acting GSA Administrator. "This latest agreement with Amtrak proves that we are on the right track."

Barram said that the agreement follows earlier consolidation arrangements this year with the Amtrak police department involving 53 vehicles and the Department of the Army fleet operations in Europe. Under that plan, GSA will manage a fleet of about 7,000 vehicles for the Army.

GSA currently manages 148,500 of the 590,000 vehicles used by government agencies and the U.S. Postal Service. GSA's fleet program leverages its resources with private sector services to maintain operation efficiencies. A financial analysis of GSA's fleet program conducted with the assistance of Arthur Andersen LLP last year showed significant cost savings when compared to similar private sector fleet services.

A 1993 National Performance Review reinvention lab gave GSA the opportunity to consolidate 6,683 vehicles from other federal agencies into its program, saving $7.4 million. Other management improvements over the years have netted savings of about $23 million.

Barram said, "Given the fact that the evidence points toward further consolidation of federal agency fleet programs into GSA's fleet services, common sense dictates that's what we will try to do."